COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported income from continuing operations of $28.6 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 ended May 3, 2014. This result exceeds our guidance of $0.40 to $0.45 per diluted share issued on March 7, 2014 and compares to adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $40.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share (non-GAAP), for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Net sales for continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 1.1% to $1,281.3 million, compared to net sales from continuing U.S. operations of $1,267.0 million for the same period of fiscal 2013. Comparable store sales for stores open at least fifteen months increased 0.9% for the quarter, compared to our guidance of slightly negative to slightly positive. As a reminder, our Canadian operations and wholesale operations are now treated as discontinued operations. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP amounts to the most comparable GAAP amounts is provided later in this release.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Income from continuing operations of $0.50 per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $0.70 per diluted share (non-GAAP) last year

Net sales of $1.3 billion, an increase of 1.1% compared to last year

Comparable stores sales increase 0.9%

Earnings per Share

Q1 2014

Q1 2013 (1)

Continuing U.S. Operations

$0.50

$0.64

Add back non-recurring charges

-

$0.06

Continuing U.S. Operations - adjusted basis

$0.50

$0.70

Discontinued Operations

($0.44)

($0.08)

(1) Non-GAAP detailed reporting provided below.

Discontinued Operations

Net loss from discontinued Canadian operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 totaled $25.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to our guidance of a net loss of $37 to $41 million, or $0.64 to $0.71 per diluted share. The lower than expected loss resulted from incremental deferred tax benefits and favorable settlements on lease terminations associated with store and distribution center operating leases.

Inventory and Cash Management

Inventory ended the first quarter of fiscal 2014 at $835 million, compared to $885 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The reduction in inventory was driven by the closure of our Canadian operations and wholesale operations, and a lower U.S. store count. Inventory per store in our U.S. stores increased slightly compared to last year.

We ended the first quarter of fiscal 2014 with $67 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $54 million of borrowings under our credit facility compared to $72 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $137 million of borrowings under our credit facility as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Our use of cash generated by our U.S. operations was focused on repaying debt, funding the closure of our Canadian operations, and investing in share repurchase activity.

Share Repurchase Activity

As a reminder, in March 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program ("March 2014 Share Repurchase Program") providing for the repurchase of up to $125 million of our common shares. Through the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we invested $82.5 million to purchase 2.2 million shares, or approximately 3.8% of our outstanding shares, at an average price of $37.99 leaving $42.5 million of authorization remaining at the end of the first quarter. Subsequent to the end of our first quarter of fiscal 2014, we completed our March 2014 Share Repurchase Program during May 2014. In total, we invested $125 million to repurchase 3.3 million shares at an average price of $38.12. Common shares acquired through the program will be available to meet obligations under equity compensation plans and for general corporate purposes.

FISCAL Q2 2014 GUIDANCE

Provides initial Q2 guidance for income from continuing operations of $0.24 to $0.30 per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $0.37 per diluted share (non-GAAP) for the same period last year

Provides initial Q2 guidance for comparable stores sales in the range of +1% to +3%

For the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we estimate income from continuing operations will be in the range of $0.24 to $0.30 per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $0.37 per diluted share (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of fiscal 2013. This guidance is based on estimated comparable store sales in the range of +1% to +3%.

For discontinued Canadian operations, we estimate results will be immaterial.

UPDATES FISCAL 2014 GUIDANCE

Forecasting fiscal 2014 income from continuing operations to be $2.35 to $2.50 per diluted share, compared to fiscal 2013 adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $2.45 per diluted share (non-GAAP)

Forecasting comparable store sales in the range of +1% to +2% for fiscal 2014

Forecasting cash flow from continuing U.S. operations of $170 million and consolidated cash flow of approximately $145 million after the impact of the wind down of our discontinued Canadian operations

Based on the actual results for the first quarter, the guidance provided above for the second quarter, and the completion of our March 2014 Share Repurchase Program, we are updating our guidance for the full year of fiscal 2014. We estimate fiscal 2014 income from continuing operations will be in the range of $2.35 to $2.50 per diluted share compared to adjusted income from continuing U.S. operations of $2.45 per diluted share for fiscal 2013 (non-GAAP). This outlook is based on estimated net sales in the range of flat to slightly up and comparable store sales in the range of +1% to +2%. We estimate this financial performance will result in cash flow (defined as cash provided by operating activities less cash used in investing activities) of approximately $170 million from continuing U.S. operations and consolidated cash flow of approximately $145 million after the impact of the wind down of our discontinued Canadian operations.

Q2

Full Year

EPS from Continuing Operations

2014 Guidance

2013 (1)

2014 Guidance

2013 (1)

U.S. Operations

$0.24 - $0.30

$0.38

$2.35 - $2.50

$2.44

Impact of other non-recurring charges

-

($0.01)

-

$0.01

U.S. Operations - adjusted basis

$0.24 - $0.30

$0.37

$2.35 - $2.50

$2.45

EPS from Discontinued Operations

Immaterial

($0.07)

Approx. ($0.44)

($0.29)

(1) Non-GAAP detailed reporting provided below.

Conference Call/Webcast

We will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. to discuss our financial results for the first quarter and provide commentary on our outlook for fiscal 2014. We invite you to listen to the webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of our website http://www.biglots.com.

If you are unable to join the live webcast, an archive of the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of our website after 12:00 noon today and will remain available through midnight on Friday, June 13, 2014. A replay of this call will also be available beginning today at 12:00 noon through June 13 by dialing 1.888.203.1112 (Toll Free USA and Canada) or 1.719.457.0820 (International), and entering Replay Passcode 1786698. All times are Eastern Time.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that we make herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, our inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on our customers and us, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and SEC filings.

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

MAY 3

MAY 4

2014

2013

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$67,161

$71,669

Inventories

834,575

884,846

Deferred income taxes

71,145

43,148

Other current assets

76,212

75,078

Total current assets

1,049,093

1,074,741

Property and equipment - net

557,675

583,496

Deferred income taxes

10,667

8,716

Goodwill

0

13,385

Other assets

41,627

56,425

$1,659,062

$1,736,763

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$347,711

$362,421

Property, payroll and other taxes

79,210

74,937

Accrued operating expenses

76,677

67,309

Insurance reserves

38,100

36,414

KB bankruptcy lease obligation

0

3,069

Accrued salaries and wages

27,382

27,194

Income taxes payable

21,173

36,129

Total current liabilities

590,253

607,473

Long-term obligations under bank credit facility

53,600

137,200

Deferred rent

73,670

76,400

Insurance reserves

56,402

63,447

Unrecognized tax benefits

17,886

16,845

Other liabilities

30,709

39,485

Shareholders' equity

836,542

795,913

$1,659,062

$1,736,763

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

13 WEEKS ENDED

13 WEEKS ENDED

MAY 3, 2014

MAY 4, 2013

%

%

(Unaudited)

(Recast)

Net sales

$1,281,271

100.0

$1,267,020

100.0

Gross margin

493,556

38.5

502,195

39.6

Selling and administrative expenses

417,546

32.6

413,902

32.7

Depreciation expense

28,825

2.2

26,845

2.1

Operating profit

47,185

3.7

61,448

4.8

Interest expense

(350)

(0.0)

(726)

(0.1)

Other income (expense)

0

0.0

0

0.0

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

46,835

3.7

60,722

4.8

Income tax expense

18,254

1.4

23,657

1.9

Income from continuing operations

28,581

2.2

37,065

2.9

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

benefit of $8,955 and $170, respectively

(25,233)

(2.0)

(4,732)

(0.4)

Net Income

$3,348

0.3

$32,333

2.6

Earnings per common share - basic (a)

Continuing operations

$0.50

$0.65

Discontinued operations

(0.44)

(0.08)

Net Income

$0.06

$0.56

Earnings per common share - diluted (a)

Continuing operations

$0.50

$0.64

Discontinued operations

(0.44)

(0.08)

Net Income

$0.06

$0.56

Weighted average common shares outstanding

Basic

57,010

57,305

Dilutive effect of share-based awards

526

538

Diluted

57,536

57,843

(a)

The earnings per share for Continuing Operations, Discontinued Operations and Net Income are separately calculated in accordance with accounting pronouncements; therefore, the sum of earnings per share for Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations may differ, due to rounding, from the calculated earnings per share of Net Income.

The above adjusted selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted income from continuing operations, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures" as that term is defined by Rule 101 of Regulation G (17 CFR Part 244) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR Part 229). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude from the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") a pretax accrual of a loss contingency related to legal matters of $5,052 ($3,190, net of tax).

Our management believes that the disclosure of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because the non-GAAP financial measures present an alternative and more relevant method for measuring our operating performance, excluding special items included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, that management believes is more indicative of our on-going operating results and financial condition. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance.